The Children's Place
| File:The Children's Place Logo.svg | |
| File:The Children's Place, Valdosta.JPG The Children's Place location in Valdosta, Georgia | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founders | David Pulver Clinton Clark |
| Headquarters | Secaucus, New Jersey |
Number of locations | approximately 525[1] |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Turki S. AlRajhi (Chairman) |
| Products | Children’s apparel and accessories |
| Revenue | Decrease US$1.602billion (2024) |
| Decrease −US$83.7 million (2024) | |
| Decrease −US$154.5 million (2024) | |
| Total assets | Decrease US$800.3 million (2024) |
| Total equity | Decrease −US$9 million (2024) |
Number of employees | 3,300 (2023) |
| Subsidiaries | Gymboree |
| Website | www |
The Children’s Place operates as a specialty retailer focused on children's clothing and accessories, managing roughly 525 outlets throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Its brand lineup features proprietary labels including The Children’s Place, Gymboree, Sugar & Jade, PJ Place, and Crazy 8. The enterprise also distributes merchandise via two e-commerce platforms alongside five franchise partners spanning 15 nations. Headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, the company offers a comprehensive assortment encompassing tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, footwear, sleepwear, and backpacks.[2]
History
Established in 1969 by founders David Pulver and Clinton Clark, The Children’s Place was purchased by Federated Department Stores in 1981. After Campeau Corporation acquired Federated, the company was sold in 1988 to a consortium led by entrepreneur Joseph Sitt. It became publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange in 1997 under the ticker symbol PLCE.
The retailer maintained a store within New York's World Trade Center mall until it was lost during the September 11 attacks in 2001.
From 2004 through 2007, The Children’s Place expanded its operations by owning 335 Disney Stores through its subsidiary Hoop Holdings/Hoop Retail Stores LLC. This acquisition included a licensing agreement with Disney lasting fifteen years and involved investing $100 million to renovate and enhance store locations. Hoop Holdings experienced a 15% rise in sales during 2006 attributed to Disney's popular entertainment properties such as High School Musical. However, by mid-2007 discussions commenced to transfer Disney Store rights back to The Walt Disney Company. In March 2008, Hoop Holdings filed for bankruptcy protection; subsequently in May of the same year, Disney resumed control of its North American retail stores.
In December 2009, Jane T. Elfers—formerly CEO of Lord & Taylor—was appointed as president and chief executive officer of The Children’s Place.
Facing liquidity constraints in early 2024, Saudi investment firm Mithaq Capital acquired a controlling interest in the company. Mithaq Capital initially provided $78.6 million in unsecured term loans without interest to improve cash flow, followed by an additional $90 million financing round in April 2024 aimed at reinforcing financial stability and supporting growth initiatives.
Elfers resigned from her CEO position on May 20, 2024, receiving an exit package totaling $3.75 million. Shortly thereafter, Turki S. AlRajhi—Chairman and CEO of Mithaq Capital as well as Chairman of The Children’s Place—outlined new strategic leadership directions to investors.
In November 2024, The Children’s Place marked its return to the Gymboree brand by launching a new store at Westfield Garden State Plaza located in Paramus.
This corporate trajectory underscores The Children’s Place’s flexible business approach centered on expanding its brand portfolio, securing strategic financial partnerships, and sustaining global operations to preserve its competitive position within the children's apparel market.
Operations
The Children's Place mainly conducts its business within regional shopping malls, supported by additional sites in strip centers, outlet malls, and standalone street locations. The majority of its outlets follow the conventional mall store layout, while certain outlet locations utilize a large-format retail approach.